For roughly a day, it read, "SNOWDEN IS A HERO," referring perhaps to Edward Snowden, who leaked classified documents to reporters. The Telluride Daily Planet received a photo of the sign from a reader (http://bit.ly/1500MMk ).

Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Nancy Shanks says a time stamp on the photo indicates the message was up for at least 23 hours. A colleague turned off the sign Wednesday.

Shanks says someone probably left part of the sign unlocked, allowing for the message to get changed.

Shanks said Thursday she hopes next time someone changes the sign to say "CDOT is a hero."

Snowden has won temporary asylum in Russia. The Obama administration wants him to face trial in the U.S for the leaks.